As the Atlantic hurricane season ramps up, forecasters are closely monitoring two potential tropical threats this week. The first system, designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone One, is expected to bring heavy rainfall and flood risks to parts of Mexico, Central America, and the US Gulf Coast.

A tropical storm watch is currently in effect for the stretch of coast from Port O'Connor in South Texas to northeastern Mexico as a broad area of thunderstorms in the Gulf of Mexico develops into the first tropical storm of the highly anticipated hurricane season. Although not yet a full-fledged tropical storm, the system poses a threat to the areas in the watch over the next 48 hours.

With winds reaching 40 mph on Monday afternoon, the system is expected to strengthen and potentially be named Tropical Storm Alberto. It is forecasted to approach the northern coast of Mexico by late Tuesday or Wednesday. While its strength may be limited due to its short time over water, the main concern is the significant rain and flooding it is projected to bring.

Heavy rain is already underway in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras, resulting in ongoing downpours that may cause double-digit rainfall totals in these areas by Thursday. This rain is desperately needed in parts of Mexico and Central America that have been experiencing scorching heat for weeks. However, the parched soils may quickly become overwhelmed, leading to dangerous flooding.

The US's western Gulf Coast is also being affected by the system, as deep tropical moisture fuels storms along the coast. Areas of coastal and southern Texas could see double-digit rainfall totals by the weekend, while other portions of the Gulf Coast may experience several inches of rain through midweek.

A level 2 out of 4 risk of flooding rainfall has been issued from the Texas coast to southern Alabama on Monday, with the risk increasing to level 3 on Tuesday in parts of Texas and Louisiana. By Wednesday, the Weather Prediction Center has warned that the air over the Gulf Coast will be loaded with "incredible amounts of moisture," which could easily lead to flash flooding. The level 3 threat remains in place in Texas on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, another tropical threat is brewing in the Atlantic as development begins in the Gulf of Mexico. Though the National Hurricane Center currently gives it a low chance of becoming a tropical system, forecasters are closely monitoring an area of showers and thunderstorms a few hundred miles east of the Bahamas. If it does develop, the potential system could approach the southeastern US by Thursday or Friday, steering south of the scorching heat dome.

While it is unclear exactly which areas could be impacted, the forecast for drenching rain on the Southeast coast and possible rough seas from the Bahamas to the mid-Atlantic coasts remains a concern regardless of development. Residents from Florida to the Carolinas are advised to closely monitor the forecast as it evolves in the coming days.